<ARTICLE> 5 <LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated0Balance Sheets and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such Form 10-Q. </LEGEND> <CIK> 0000061004 <NAME> LYNCH CORPORATION <PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS <FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997 <PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1997 <CASH> 24,553 <SECURITIES> 1,682 <RECEIVABLES> 51,228 <ALLOWANCES> 1,650 <INVENTORY> 38,426 <CURRENT-ASSETS> 132,502 <PP&E> 209,363 <DEPRECIATION> 54,374 <TOTAL-ASSETS> 416,708 <CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 97,658 <BONDS> 240,437 <PREFERRED-MANDATORY> 0 <PREFERRED> 0 <COMMON> 5,139 <OTHER-SE> 35,109 <TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 416,708 <SALES> 230,205 <TOTAL-REVENUES> 230,205 <CGS> 196,850 <TOTAL-COSTS> 217,853 <OTHER-EXPENSES> 0 <LOSS-PROVISION> 0 <INTEREST-EXPENSE> 11,277 <INCOME-PRETAX> 2,263 <INCOME-TAX> 902 <INCOME-CONTINUING> 738 <DISCONTINUED> 0 <EXTRAORDINARY> 0 <CHANGES> 0 <NET-INCOME> 738 <EPS-PRIMARY> .52 <EPS-DILUTED> .52